Lockout / News

“Lockout” is a new large-scale work written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout. For this project, the band will be augmented with an electric guitar orchestra, bringing the unique sound popularized by composers such as Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham into the world of contemporary Irish traditional music. 

“Lockout” is a grand departure for the band, adding epic volume and scale to the band’s blend of contemporary and traditional sounds and a sharper, more political voice which addresses the recent anniversary of the Lockout, and it’s relevance today.

An open rehearsal of the first movement was recorded and filmed as the centenary closed in January 2014, in the now sadly defunct Factory arts performance space on Barrow St in Dublin. The full video of this first movement, and details of the premiere performance will be announced later in the year with the album due in 2015.

Music by The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock (Enda Bates, Allen Blighe, Liam Caffrey, Ronan Hayes, Brian O’Higgins) & Electric Guitar Orchestra (Marc Balbirnie, Eamon Brady, Niall Byrne, Bryan Dunphy, Michael Fleming, Mark Jordan, Shane Latimer, Hugh McCabe, Colin Morris).

Raja Nundlall - Camera/DoP Thom McDermott - Edit/Producer John Breslin - Director/Edit

John Cruise - Assistant Producer Turlough Kelly - Assistant Director Adam Clarke - Colour Grade

Richard O’Connor - Audio Capture Matt Hedigan - Wide Hand

The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock and an electric guitar orchestra will perform the first movement of “Lockout” at an open rehearsal at The Factory, Sunday January 19th from 3.30-4.30pm. Entry is free and all are invited to attend.

“Lockout” is a new large-scale work written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout. For this project, the band will be augmented with an electric guitar orchestra, bringing the unique sound popularized by composers such as Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham into the world of contemporary Irish traditional music. 

“Lockout” is a grand departure for the band, adding epic volume and scale to the band’s blend of contemporary and traditional sounds and a sharper, more political voice which addresses the timely anniversary of the Lockout, and its relevance today.

The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock Electric Guitar Orchestra:

Niall Byrne (Bill Blood, The Redneck Manifesto, ViSiONAiR)
Mark Jordan (Large Mound, The Dudley Corporation, Si Schroeder)
Hugh McCabe (Large Mound, Voided by Ponces)
Shane Latimer (OKO, Bottlenote)
Michael Fleming 
Eamon Brady (Birdhill Co-op)
Colin Morris (Miriam Ingram, Sunbear)
Marc Balbirine
Bryan Dunphy (Wicker Bones)

Buoyed by the successful release of 2012’s critically acclaimed album “The Brutal Here and Now”, The Spook of the Thirteenth Lock return with a new project, and a new lineup. 

“Lockout” is a new large-scale work written to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout. For this project, the band will be augmented with an electric guitar orchestra, bringing the unique sound popularized by composers such as Glenn Branca and Rhys Chatham into the world of contemporary Irish traditional music. “Lockout” is a grand departure for the band, adding epic volume and scale to the band’s blend of contemporary and traditional sounds and a sharper, more political voice which addresses the timely anniversary of the Lockout, and it’s relevance today.

Following the departure of Donnchadh Hoey, the Spooks are delighted to welcome guitarist and producer Liam Caffrey to the fold. The first performance with this new lineup will take place in October at the Airwaves festival in Iceland October 30th to November 3rd, where the band will be performing alongside Adrian Crowley, Villagers and Donal Lunny as part of a Young Hearts Run Free night supported by Culture Ireland.